Etta Schneiderman
On
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, Operation Respect lost a dear friend and colleague,
Mrs. Etta Schneiderman. Etta was a remarkable, spirited and dedicated educator
whose work made a positive impact on thousands of students lives. Her motto
was: “Just love every child” and she
did just that.
Throughout her career as a math teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School
in the Sewanhaka School District in Long Island, New York, Etta served as advisor
to the Student Council where she and her students brought joy and unity to
the
entire school community
In 2003, she initiated an Operation Respect Program, which trained student
council members to become leaders in making Floral Park Memorial a more
respectful and caring community. Etta was responsible for the
expansion of Operation Respect into other district schools and coordinated
intra-district trainings for the students involved as well.
Floral Park Memorial High School is the prototype for Operation Respect high
school work. Etta engaged Operation Respect trainers Mark Weiss and Lynne Hurdle-Price
to provide workshops for her students throughout the school year. These outstanding
students formed a leadership team that carried the message of respect far and
wide. The students' t-shirts, which say “Operation Respect” and “SWAT
- Students Working to Advance Tolerance,” have become a symbol of
safety for Floral Park students and one of courage and compassion for all
of us. The
students represented Floral Park at Nassau TRACT professional development
events as well. This is service learning at its highest level. Etta and
her students are featured in Operation Respect's outreach video that has
been shown at schools, conferences and events all over the
world.
Etta was also an active participant in teacher development through her work
as co-director of the Nassau TRACT Teacher Center and in the education of
future teachers through her presentations at the Queens College "Time
2000"
program for prospective math teachers. A dedicated union member for many
years, she served in multiple executive board positions with the Sewanhaka
Federation of Teachers and in 2002 was elected president. She was a true
advocate for the best interests of the students via the needs of the professional
staff.
Although Mrs. Schneiderman believed her work was its own intrinsic reward,
those around her clearly believed she deserved more. In 2001, she was
recognized for her outstanding professional efforts with junior high school
students by receiving the Nassau County Math Teachers Association's
"
Teacher of the Year" award. In 2006, she was a "Disney Teacher of
the Year"
nominee. Upon receiving her nomination she commented, "This is an outstanding
honor. We join this profession because we believe we can positively impact
the future of children. Receiving this nomination from a student is the ultimate
achievement of that goal."
Sewanaka District Math Coordinator, Cathy Florio remembers her fondly, "As
we say in mathematics, Etta was an 'irregular figure.' She was dynamic,
enthusiastic, creative, and her classroom was an exciting place to learn
mathematics while enjoying it. Etta made an unparalleled contribution to
students and faculty alike. The talents she brought to Floral Park Memorial
made her a valued member of not only the math department, but the school
and community as well.
Assistant Principal Stan Johnsen remembered Mrs. Schneiderman as "fair
and
open-minded, a trusted advisor and confidante. Her energy and enthusiasm
inspired me and it always will.”
Math Department Chairman Al Bauer worked with Etta on a daily basis. "Etta
Schneiderman was a dynamic teacher, devoted wife and mother and a concerned
colleague. She was a tremendous influence on the math department and the
entire school community. Her vibrant and radiant personality raised our
spirits everyday. She was an inspiration to us all and will be deeply
missed. When I think about Etta, I reflect upon the words of Winston
Churchill: 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we
give.' Etta Schneiderman made a life of happiness and fond memories for many."
Etta Schneiderman is survived by her loving husband Sam, her four beautiful
children, Ari, Celia, Debbie and Steven, and six grandchildren Hannah,
Jackie, Sara, Scott, Cory and Ethan as well as thousands of faculty, staff
and students who will
miss her dearly.
*Excerpts and quotes taken from an article published in The Floral Park Dispatch,
March 16, 2007 “Sewanhaka District Mourns Loss of Revered Educator.”
